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God is with us, even when we feel low
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Hi Reader, Do you find it difficult to remember God's presence and love for you during tough times, or when you're upset? Here's a brief devotion that may help, from the new book I wrote with my parents, From Sea to Shining Sea: 50 Daily Devotions from Traveling to Every State in America. Each devotion in the book relates to a state in the United States. The one below is about Kentucky... It includes a prayer point at the end: for the release of any negative feelings that may have a hold on your life. Because, who really wants negative emotions controlling them?
Here's the devotion... Kentucky Feelings Like many others who live in Ohio, our families came from Kentucky. We enjoy the mountains, people, and food of the state. We’ve driven through Kentucky countless times, and we experience different feelings in various parts of the state. For example . . . We’ve loved going to the top of Natural Bridge—a huge rock formation that looks like a bridge—where we felt the beauty of nature when looking out at all the trees around it. At Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace, as well as when walking among the graves at Camp Nelson National Cemetery, we felt a sense of patriotism. We felt wonder and refreshment when walking down the paved path into the depths of Mammoth Cave, feeling the cool, dry air from the cave. Even on a hot day, the cave stays around 54°F (12°C). And though we don’t gamble, we felt some excitement when taking a tour of the Churchill Downs racetrack and the Kentucky Derby Museum. It wasn’t a race day, but we could imagine the thunderous sounds of horses pounding the dirt track and people cheering for their favorites. We’ve had many memorable experiences in Kentucky. And with all those experiences come many different feelings.
In life, feelings come and go. We all love feeling happiness and joy, and we know the “warm fuzzies” we feel when thinking back on good times. Yet, feelings aren’t always positive. Feelings that we don’t want can have a powerful hold on us. Holding onto sadness, anger, or bitterness can affect us in negative ways, impacting our sleep or our relationships with others and God. Negative feelings can disrupt our hope and cloud our vision of what God wants for us. So, here’s a challenge for all of us: What if we focus more on what we believe rather than on how we feel? God knows us and how we feel. Through Christ, he has had similar experiences to us. God is with us, even when we feel low. That is something to believe and remember, despite how we may feel. Reflect
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----- And that kind of connects to something else I wanted to share with you: I signed up for this workshop that will be led by my author friend Brian Plachta. Brian is going to address the voices in our heads that criticize and judge us. He's called the workshop, Quieting the Inner Critic: A Divine Flow Workshop to Hear the Voice of Love and Return to Your True Self. You’ll find ways to:
Workshop Details:
You can register here--no cost: https://www.findingflowlife.com/quieting-the-inner-critic-workshop I registered and plan to watch the recording, as the time isn't good for me to join live. As you start your weekend, remember this: God is with us, even when we feel low. Thanks for being part of my reader community. John Christopher Frame If a friend or family member forwarded this email to you, and you'd like to receive my emails, too, just click this link and add your email address: https://www.johnchristopherframe.com/get-johns-emails _____________________________________________________________________ |
John Christopher Frame.
Join my reader community to see forgotten places in the Bible I've traveled, and to be inspired to better live out your faith!
Hi Reader, I’ve created a 7-day plan on the YouVersion Bible App based on From Sea to Shining Sea, the book I wrote with my parents. It takes you from Maine to Hawaii, and I personally narrated it. Seven states in seven days... It's called "From Sea to Shining Sea: Hope for Your Journey." All seven devotions point you toward hope. You'll "visit" covered bridges, the St. Louis Arch, Yellowstone National Park, and other places. You can start by watching a brief video of me introducing the...
Hi Reader, A couple of weeks ago, I went to a small park down the street to record a short video. I read a devotion out of From Sea to Shining Sea, as mosquitos or something was biting my legs. Later, I polished the video and uploaded it to YouTube. This devotion is about renewal--based on Yellowstone National Park and the trip my parents and I took there. That was three years after the devastating forest fire there in 1988. During our visit, we saw dead trees that had burned. But after...
Hi Reader, A few months ago, a new restaurant opened in our neighborhood. When I saw pancakes on the menu, something you don’t come across very often here in Turkey, I had to try them. So, one day, I took a bottle of pancake syrup with me that I had purchased in the USA, and looked forward to a delicious breakfast. Like my mom or dad makes when my wife and I visit. As an American, my version of good pancakes looks something like this: Credit: Tenor When I ordered, I requested no chocolate...